Home Improvements: spruce up your bathroom

Even if you are living in a rented property, there are lots of little things you can do to keep your bathroom looking presentable.

First of all, give it a good clean. Check your tiling to make sure the grouting isn't crumbling or covered in mildew. If in doubt, regrout. This is a surprisingly straightforward task and you can get everything you need to get the job done at your local Ace Hardware store.

If you are willing to make the investment, new showerheads and taps will give your bathroom an immediate boost. At the very least, think about getting a new toilet seat.

If your cabinetry is looking tired, a simple coat of dark semigloss paint will work wonders. Try to remove as much clutter as possible from the sink area by investing in a couple of wall-mounted shelves or a simple cabinet like Ikea's white, lockable Atran, which only costs Dh79.

Finally, accessorise. Buy a good-quality bathmat, shower curtain, soap dispenser set and fluffy towels from The White Company or Zara Home. We'd recommend going with an all-white set, although this may not be practical. Lastly, invest in some shower gel and hand soap from L'Occitane or The Body Shop for a bathroom that smells as good as it looks.